AN unbelievable display of belligerent clean hitting from Steve Bowman was enough to secure victory for Worcester Nomads as Worcester were unlucky to come away with a Worcestershire League Division One defeat.

Having been inserted by their visitors, Worcester began well with Jack Horton (21) and Nick Brown seeing off the new ball.

After Bowman dismissed Horton, Dan McKay joined Brown (62) at the crease in a century stand that put Worcester in a strong position.

Despite injury, McKay batted superbly with Cameron Williams (32) as Worcester’s innings gained momentum. McKay was agonisingly ran out one short of what would have been a magnificent century as the innings closed on 306-6, with the assistance of 69 extras.

Nomads captain Ben Schiffman (2-51) was the visitors’ most successful bowler.

The Nomads reply was started by an onslaught from Liam O’Driscoll who cleared the ropes with ease in a thumping innings of 68, before the introduction of James Wagstaff bought about his downfall.

Despite Sam Roberts standing strong at one end, Worcester picked up regular wickets and put themselves in a match-winning position when Roberts was dismissed by Horton for a fine 54 leaving the score on 175-6. This brought Schiffman to the crease to join Bowman, who unleashed a savage assault on the Worcester attack as the pair added 132 in less than 15 overs.

Bowman fired seven huge maximums in a thunderous 132 not out from only 72 balls including a 32-run over.

Schiffman (30no) ensured Bowman was supported as the chase was completed with two overs to spare. Wagstaff finished with figures of 3-68 but no attack could have contained the brilliance of Bowman as Nomads collected 20 points. Elsewhere in Division One, Bromyard could only draw their match with Bewdley. Sri Lankan star Dinusha Fernando has joined Bromyard and he certainly enjoyed himself as he flayed the Bewdley bowlers for 96.

Despite facing a formidable total of 290-7, the Bewdley batsmen stood firm to earn a creditable result with Wilkinson and Combes both contributing 80.

In Division Two, Colwall are top after a resounding victory at Wormelow thanks to seven wickets from Mike King and Monmouth are just two points behind them following a crunching nine-wicket win over Netherton.

Coombs Wood are fifth following a comprehensive defeat of bottom side Kidderminster Victoria.

In other matches, Worcester Dominies beat Belbroughton and Feckenham had the best of a draw with Malvern.

After giving up the Division Three top spot last week to Harborne, Rushwick returned to the pinnacle by crushing Harvington.

The other early pace-setters, Alvechurch, lost at home to Stourport, for whom Andy Siwicki smashed 157 not out.

Himbleton recorded their first win of the season at the expense of Old Vigornians.

Tenbury lead the way in Division Four after thrashing Avoncroft, while Alveley lie second after they achieved a high-scoring, rain-affected winning draw at Brintons.

Himley lie fourth in the table after defeating Martley and Barnards Green complete the top half following a winning draw with Amblecote thanks to 115 from Roger Thompson.

Division Five, which is half comprised of Birmingham League clubs’ third teams, closed up a bit following Old Hill’s win at Worcester’s Old Elizabethans and Bromsgrove’s comprehensive defeat of Cleobury Mortimer.